How to avoid the middle seat on a plane

QUESTION: As a single traveller, how can I avoid ending up in the "middle seat" on an aircraft? - Sandy Beck

ANSWER: No-one likes the middle seat - sandwiched between two other passengers - but, if the flight is full, someone has to sit there. There are a number of ways you can boost your chances of not being that person. The first thing you can do is to check out the seating plan of aircraft on available flights. Some aircraft may have fewer middle seats and you can check out the seat numbering, so you know where you are seated (many airlines do not have a B, so the C seat may not be on the aisle!) Secondly, you should ask your travel agent to pre-seat you in a window or aisle seat. If you are booking on the Internet, take the option of selecting a seat. Thirdly, you are more likely to get your seat of choice if you arrive at the airport early. If you check-in clerk is unhelpful, ask to speak to the flight controller as early as possible, when they will still be able to do something about it. Finally, join the airline's frequent flyer scheme. Even if you don't hold a silver or gold card, you will receive better treatment if you can whip out a loyalty card. If all your pleas fail and you are prepared to wait around for a while, offer to change to a later flight if they can guarantee you a seat that's not in the middle. This one works surprisingly often, as flights are often overbooked and you may be doing the airline a favour. You may even end up with an upgrade!